Count em'. How many books do you read?

A person on another web site said they read five or more books a week. That's roughly 260 books a year. Krikies! That sound's like a lot of reading stacked on top of a normal every day life. Frankly, I find it damn lucky to have the time to read just 20 a year. But it made me start to wonder. A writer spends a hell of a lot of time fighting their way through a manuscript. Lots of time slaving away on their next book. How many books do they read in a year? Is there an average range a 'normal' writer reads (and define 'normal' by whatever measurement you think appropriate.)

Be brave. Guess what the average number is for you. Heck, I might have to up my numbers and find more time to read myself.

Funny you should ask. I actually started keeping track of every book I read a few years ago, partly because I was curious how many books I read, and partly to keep track of what I liked and what I didn't. (I track them on a small Excel spreadsheet, with brief comments on each, meant for my eyes only.)

Well, now, that would depend on the book and whether or not I finish it. I go though a lot of books (up to 10 every 3 weeks), but I don't read each book to the end. Those that I read from cover to cover probably run about 3 every 2 weeks, 2 if both books are long or slow. So I seem to fit in with the rest of folks here.

I started keeping track of my reading a little over two years ago. In 2007 I read 107 books, including all types, and of those 44 were mysteries. In 2008 I read 120 books with 70 of those being mysteries. I am chronically ill and have plenty of reading time.

I always have at least two books going at the same time. For some reason, I have always read that way. I can go through a couple on an average of maybe a week or a week and a half. I always make sure I have several waiting in the wings too. I have always loved to read and make sure I fit in as much as I can.

I find myself reviewing the first few pages of a book, but rarely finding one that captures my attention. I have a wide taste in what I read, but I must be looking for a writing style that engages my imagination. And frankly, the older I get, the disappointment factor has risen significantly.

I've always had a couple going at the same time and read 1-3 a week. I have an exceptional reading speed that I can slow up or speed up. But now that I own a bookstore, I also do partial reads of new books, so I can know enough about them to discuss them with customers. It's simply impossible to read every book that comes in, but I do my best to be knowledgeable. If I have a quiet couple of hours, I can acquaint myself with 1-3 books, and I do that at least once a week. How many is that? I also have a bad habit of bringing home ARCs that look interesting, but which I never get to.